The story of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and how it unfolds
When Dorothy and her dog Toto get swept away from their Kansas farm by a cyclone, they tumble into the magical Land of Oz—a world that's nothing like home. What follows is a quest that's become synonymous with adventure itself: a journey down the yellow brick road to find the Wizard, the only being powerful enough to send her back. The 1987 animated version stays true to L. Frank Baum's original 1900 novel, the source material that started it all, but it's got something the famous 1939 MGM film doesn't—scenes that Baum wrote but Hollywood left behind. Dorothy meets the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion along the way, each with their own reasons for seeking the Wizard's help. It's a story about friendship, self-discovery, and learning that the answers you're looking for might already be inside you. The animation brings a whimsy to the proceedings that captures something pure about the original text.
Behind the making of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz animated film
Produced by Saban Entertainment in partnership with HBO, this 1987 feature-length animated film represents a deliberate choice to return to Baum's source material rather than simply rehash the MGM version that's dominated cultural memory for decades. The runtime clocks in at a brisk 90 minutes, making it accessible for younger viewers without sacrificing the story's emotional core. HBO's exclusive broadcast of the Lightyear Wizard of Oz series (of which this film is part) gave the production a prestige home, though the film has since found its way to major OTT platforms where new generations can discover it. The voice work and animation style reflect the sensibilities of late-1980s television animation—clean, colorful, and designed for clarity rather than photorealism. What's striking is that the producers made a conscious effort to include narrative material from the book that the 1939 film had to cut for time and studio politics. This wasn't a cash-grab sequel or a cynical remake; it was a genuine attempt to give Baum's full vision a chance on screen. The film carries an IMDb rating of 5.8/10, which tells you something worth knowing: it's not universally beloved by critics, but it's also not without merit for those who come to it on its own terms rather than comparing it obsessively to the Judy Garland standard.
What makes The Wonderful Wizard of Oz stand out as a 1987 animated adaptation
Here's the thing about animation in the 1980s—it wasn't trying to fool you into thinking it was live action. Instead, it leaned into the fantastical nature of the story. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz benefits enormously from this approach. The Emerald City doesn't need to look photorealistic to feel magical; it just needs to feel different, and animation achieves that without breaking a sweat. The whimsical narration mentioned in the film's description suggests a storybook quality, which is exactly right—Baum's novel reads like a fairy tale, and animation is perhaps the most honest medium for that kind of storytelling. What doesn't always work, and I'll be honest here, is that the film sometimes feels like it's moving through the plot rather than living in it. The pacing can feel rushed, as if the 90-minute constraint is constantly pressing down on the narrative. But when the film pauses to let a moment breathe—when Dorothy realizes she's not in Kansas anymore, or when the characters sit around a campfire—there's genuine warmth there. The expanded scenes from the book give the story more texture than the MGM version, and fans of the novel often appreciate that faithfulness. Movie OTT tracks streaming availability across multiple platforms, making it easier than ever to see how this particular version stacks up against the versions you already know.
Where to stream The Wonderful Wizard of Oz online
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is currently available on major OTT services, so there's a good chance you can access it through a platform you already subscribe to. The film's journey to streaming reflects a broader shift in how classic and catalog content finds audiences—rather than waiting for a cable broadcast or hunting down a DVD, you can pull it up on demand. Check the "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page to see which streaming services have it in your region right now, as availability does shift. If you're a completist exploring the full Wonderful Wizard of Oz Collection, you'll want to know that this 1987 animated film is part of an established series, so you might find related titles on the same platforms. Movie OTT's streaming aggregator makes it simple to compare where different versions and adaptations are available.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is this The Wonderful Wizard of Oz the same as the 1939 MGM movie with Judy Garland?
No. This is a 1987 animated adaptation that returns to L. Frank Baum's original 1900 novel for its source material. It includes scenes that the MGM film cut for time, and it's told through animation rather than live action.
Q: How long is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 1987 version?
The film runs 90 minutes, making it a fairly compact adaptation that still covers the major beats of Dorothy's journey through Oz.
Q: Who produced The Wonderful Wizard of Oz animated film?
Saban Entertainment and HBO produced this version. It was originally broadcast exclusively on HBO before becoming available on other streaming platforms.
Q: What's the IMDb rating for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 1987?
The film holds a 5.8/10 rating on IMDb, which reflects mixed critical and audience reception, though it has its dedicated fans.
Q: Is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz based on a book?
Yes, absolutely. The entire Wonderful Wizard of Oz franchise traces back to L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's novel of the same name, and this animated adaptation aims to be faithful to that source material.
Final thoughts on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as family viewing
If you're looking for a different take on one of literature's most enduring stories, this 1987 animated version deserves consideration. It won't replace the MGM classic for most people—that film has earned its place in cultural memory for good reason. But it's not trying to. Instead, it offers something the live-action version couldn't: the freedom to visualize Baum's world exactly as the animators imagined it, without the constraints of 1930s studio filmmaking. For families who've exhausted the usual suspects and want to explore the deeper Oz canon, or for animation enthusiasts curious about how the 1980s approached classic literature, this film is worth a stream. Don't expect perfection. Expect a sincere, colorful, sometimes uneven attempt to honor a beloved story.
